Machine for affixing opening threads to envelopes



Feb. 28, 1933. c. N. FULLER 1,399,267

' MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS T0 ENVELOPES Filed Nov. 24, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l my a 4 2/ '61 60 l INVENTOR V Y w ,0 M/QWM 43 ATTORNEYS Feb. 28, 1933. I c N FULLER 1,899,267

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS T0 ENVELOPE-S Filed Nov. 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 3 56 1 2, ,l 6 INVENTOR C m 72. 9M

8%,, 87 ATTORNEYS Feb. 28, 1933. c. N. FULLER 1,399,267

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS To ENVELOPES Filed Nov. 24, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR W 72 3 4M121 BY pd MX/OMM/ A TTORNE Y3 Patented- Feb 28, 1933- uNIra! 'srA TEs CLARENCE N. FULLER, or 'ronnwmmnnwionx,AssIGNoR 'ro HHW; HILLI co.

r m, or. BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK i moi-tins Fon iAI FIXIN G OPENING, THREADS wo vmm A licationmeanbv mberfu, 191 .1. Scria1No.57.7,064L

This invention relates to improvements machines for aflixing opening threads to en? velopes in order to facilitate removalof the contents thereof and more particularly the invention isconcern'ed with a machine'of the type in whichprovlsion 1s made'fori 1I1C0l-'- po-rating the threadsin the bodies of the envelopes during their formation fromblanks. A ii'nachine of the type generally described 1 includes means for applying "an adhesive to:

predetermined areas of the blanks and means j adaptableas an attachment to e risting. ma

" chines'. a c

"' A further object isto provide a novel construction and arrangement of the parts. of

the thread affixing mechanism whereby "simplicity in construction andoperationjisob v tained.

A- still further 'object is'athread affixing mechanism which isjadapted to arrange the opening threads in such relation to those areas of the envelope blank to which the adhesive is applied that thethreads are secured to the envelope-by the adhesive; thereby avoiding the necessityofimpregnating or coating the threads with an adhesive.

The invention is illustrated 1 in the accom L panyingdrawings,inwhichz i I Figure .-1 is a fragmentary view ,in ,eleva tion of amachine in which the features of the inventionare incorporated.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken along line 22 of FigureL.

line 3 3 ofFigure-l.-

foldedandsecured after folding by thead-i "Figure 9 is a vertical [section taken alo'ngc tion is to provide a mechanismqwhich is ing operation.

Figure 3 -is;.a:-vertical section taken along;

Y Figure 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4+4 of Figure 1., r g s Figure 5 is a vertical section taken along line5"5 of Figure 1.

Figure '8 is a fragmentary view in planof p the needle bar and co-operating parts of the thread 'aflixing mechanism by "which the thread is arranged for securement to the en velopes, the needle bar beingshown in its retracted position. I

line-9+9 of Figure 8.

F igure' 10 is a similar viewin which'the needle bar is shownin its projected vposition in whichthe'end of the thread isgr'pped by 78*;

a co-operatingipart of the mechanism. 7 r

a Figure 1111s a similar view in which the' needle is shown in itsretracted position, the

end'of' the thread still being gripped by. the i said'co-operating part.

Figure 12 is "an enlarged fragmentary '1 viewiof the needleibar; I I p v Figure 13'; is a perspective View of acornpletely formed envelope, 'the' ends of 'the opening threadbeing shown protruding bee 85, 7 .yond the body of the envelope in order that theymay'be readily grasped during theopem The thread affixing mechanism, although,

not so "limited in use,is' applicable to existingenvelope folding machines" which have beendesigned without contemplation of their .use in connection with thread aflixing Inecha W 'nisms. The thread aflixing mechanism,'there- 'fo're, is{il-1ustrated,v byway of example, in

connection with sucha machine;- The parts of themachine are mou nted in.=a suitable" frame which; includes lower-side framememhers 15 and 16' and-upper. side frame memc c I 'bers -17 and 18. 5A bed plate 1918 Supported 1 o";

Figure 6 is an enlar'gedffragmentary sec- I tional' ViQW IOf the folder which carries the threadsevering means, the said folder being shown "in the position which corresponds to theinop upon the upper ends of the side frame members 15 and 16 beneath the lower ends of the side frame members 17 and 18.

The folding mechanism, as best shown in Figure 3, is carried by the bed plate 19. It includes atop plate 20 supported in spaced relation from the bed plate by brackets 21 and 21a at one end and a post 22 at the blanks from which the envelopes are to be formed are positioned above the opening they are carried by'a plunger 24 through it, during which operation those portions of the blanks which constitute the back sides, end fiapsandsealing flaps of the envelopes are bent substantially at right angles to those portions of. the blanks which constitute the front sides of the envelopes. The plate 20 is alsoiformedwith front and side walls 25 f and 26 respectively, all of which extend toward but terminateshortof the bed plate 19. jThe'walls 25 and 26 co-operate with a folder 27 inholding the bent portions of the blank against return to their original .posi; tion so that they willco-operate in the desired manner with thervarious foldersemployed in the folding operations. The opening 23 is above an opening 28 .formed in the bedplate 19,'the latter opening being normally closed by a pivoted bottom plate 29. In additionito the folder 27, the folding mechanism also includes a pair of end folders 30 and 31 which operate in the openings between the bottom edges of the side Walls 26 and the bed plate19. A

The folders 27, 30 and 31 bend those portions ofthe blank which are to be secured in afolded position by the adhesivewhich has beenapplied to theblank while the: sealing flap of the envelope is creased by afolder. 33, the latter operating beneath the lower edge 34 of the front wall 25. l

.' In theparrangement'of parts shown in Figure 3, the mechanism is conditioned to operateupon a blank B which has beenan" provide the sealing flap of the envelope is.

held in its bent position bythe front wall 25.

V The blanks B are arranged beneaththe plunger 24by a slide 38. The latter includes a pair of bars 39 which fit in suitable guideways andwhich carry at their front ends-a cross-piece 40, the latter being provided with an upwardly eirtendingrib 41. The bar-s30.

carry brackets 42 at their rear ends which are suitably connected by links 43 to power. The slide 38 is movable to a position beneath the adhesive applying elements 44 to receive ablank removed from the latter by a stripper plate 45. The blanks are carried upon a suitable table 46 arranged adjacent the top plate 20. The adhesive applying ele- V ments are arranged above the table 46 and opposite end. The top plate 20 is formed" with a rectangular opening 23 and as the" projected to apply an adhesive to the uppermost blank, it being understood that during such downward movement of the said elements the slide 38 is in a position to the left of that shown in Figure 3.- The blank adheres to the elements and as they are moved upwardly by the rod47, they carry the blank with thenn'As the blank is moved above elements passthrough the openings 48, the

blankfalls upon the slide, the latter being in a position in which the rib 41 lies beyond the rear edge of the blank. The slide 38 is then operated toposition the blank above the opening 23 and the plunger 24 operates to movethe blank through the opening and down upon the pivoted bottom plate 29 in the manner described. a v

With the back side, end flaps and sealing flap held in theposition to which they are bent, the end folders 30 and 31, back folder 27 and'sealing flap folder 33 are operated in the order enumerated to complete the formation of the envelope by folding the initially bent parts. The-end folders 30 and 31 are each connected by a: link 49 to a bellcrank 50. i The latter is carried by a suitable bracket 51 secured tothe underside of the bed plate19.1 One arm 5270f the bell crank 'eX- tendsthrougha suitable opening formed in the bedplate and is pivotally connected to the link4'9. The other arm 53 is connected by a rod 54 to'a roller support 55. The roller 56,0f thelatter co-operates with a cam 57 whichis mounted upon a main cam shaft 58. It will be apparent that the shaft 58 is adaptedv through the agency of the cams 57 to move the end folders 30 and 31 inwardlyand downwardly upon the end flaps 36.

' As the endfolders return to their normal positions; the back folder 27 is adapted to fold the back side 35 of the envelope upon the two'end flaps so that the former may be secured to the latter by the adhesive which has been, applied to the back side over those areas which are to contact with the end flaps. In order to move the back folder 27 in the manner described,-it is connected by a link 59 to an arm 60. The latter is fixed to a shaft Glj ournalled in the brackets 21 and 21a. At the end of the shaft adjacent the bracket 21, the shaft 61'carries crank' 62, the} end of whichis connected by a rod 68 to a roller carrying armfi li The roller 65 carried by the saidarmoperates ina cam groove 66 formed in an element 167., The latter similarly to the cams 571 is mounted upon the main cam shaft 58. The roller carrying armoet is connected to the rod 63 by asleev'e 68 which is loosely mountedupon-therod 63 between a nut 69 and a spring/70. The latter acting against nuts-71 carried by the said rod, urges the sleeve 68 against the nut 69. The pur- In accordance with the inventionineans,

pose of the spring is to provide aresilient connection betweenthe roller65 and the rod 63 so that the back folder 27 will be'resilient- 'lyurged against the bottom plate 29 during the folding operation. 'The element 67 is so arranged upon the cam shaft58 that llll mediately after the end flaps of the envelope have beenfolded downwardly the back folder'27. is operated'to fold the back side of the envelope upon the'fia'ps, wherebythe body,

of the envelope ,is completed. Duringthe returnmovement of the back folder 27 the sealing flap folder 33 is operatedlto form a creasein the blank between the bodyand seal ingfiap of the envelope. The bottom plate 29 is 'then loweredby a rod72 to permit the discharge of the completed envelope from the folding mechanism, the practice-being to deliver the envelopes as completed to a suitable'drying conveyor.

operating in timed relation with the various folders, is provided foryarranging an opening thread adjacent .thejoint betweenthe back side of 35 of the envelope. and thefront side 35a prior to the operation 'of the folder '27. The said "means, as illustrated, includes the needlebar 73 which is carried by a rod-74.

The latter is mounted for movement inthe direction of its length in blocks 75- suitably carried bythe'frame-work of the machine;

to the operation of the folder27 The rod74is connected bya pin 76-to a bell crank? 7 which is suitably supported by the j i side frame member 15; The pin 76 extends through aslot 78 formed inone arm .79, of the 'bell1 crankand. the other arm 80 of the latter is connected by a link81 to an arm "82 (see Figure 4) which is pivotallyconnocted at one end to a bracket 83 carried by the frame-work of "theYmachine. The arm 82 carries a roller 84: which co-operates with a .cam 85. The latter is-inounted upon an auxiliary cam shaft86which is driven from the main cam shaft 58 through-the medium of gears 87' and 87a. Thecain operates in such timed relation with the cams 57 that the needle bar'73 moves across the back of the front side of the envelope. adjacent .the oint between the said side and the. back side 35 and returns to its retracted position i The needle bar .73 carries a spring clip 73a (see Figure 12) and'acontinuouslength of prior thread. 88 passes from av suitable. spool through'eyelets' 89 and from the eyelets bee tween the bar. and the clip 7 3a, whereby the the threadis frictionally engaged. I The end of the thread 88 extends beyon-dthe terminal portions ofthe bar and clips "73' and 73a respectively,,as shown; Itrwill be apparent, therefo're,.that asthe'n'eedle bar 7 3 moves over thefront sideofthe envelope it carriesthethread 88withit; 1 j v =Means' is/provided, as. the. needlebar 73 reaches a projected position in which ;the thread 88'extendsentirelyacross and beyond the margins of the front side of the envelope, j for grippingfthe end of the thread so that as the needle bar returns to its retracted position it slips over the thread. Thelatter remains j inits position across the envelope adjacent the joint between the front and back sides. The

said means includesa pair of fingersi90 and f 91, both of which are freely mounted upon a stub shaft 92' carried: by the bracket 21a.

about said shaft, the 'shoulder93 preventing movement of the finger 90' past thegpoint at which the shoulder .93 engagesthe pin/94.

Thefinger 91 on the. other hand' is pivotally connected by a rod 96ftoxan arm. 97.1.The l latter-is pivotally connectedatone-end to a bracket- 98 carried by the frame-work :of the machine. The armx97 carries 'a roller 99.

which cof-operates with a earn 100; the-said cam being mounted upon the auxiliary cam shaft 86. ,The cam'100 operates in -timed re+ 106 lation' to the cam 95 so that as the needle bar 73 approaches-the fingers-90 and9'l'jtheylare inf-the position shown in. Figure 9, that" is: to

say, open While in-this' position, that portion of the thread which. extends beyond the end ofthe needle bar ismoved by the latter betweenthe' two fingers, at which time the-cam 100: causes the finger 91 to move downwardly into co-operatingrelation with the finger 90, thereby to engage the projecting end of the thread; As theyfinger 91 cOntinuesdownwardly a short 'distance further, it carries I with it the finger'90 againsttheaction ofthe spring 95. While the thread is thus engaged,

the needle bar returns to its retracted position whereby a portion of thread is supported between the latter and the gripping fingers adjacent the crease between the frontandback'sides of the enveloper Hence, as the folders 27 are operated to fold the back side upon the front side, the thread ispressed 1 between the two sides.

In this connection it is to becnoted that infthe adhesiveapplying I operationthe adhesive,. as indicated in dotted lines,-;in Figure-13', is preferably extended to the crease 101 of the envelope so that as the thread is squeezed between the back and front f front sides.

In order to sever that portionof the thread 88 which is to be afiixedto the envelope, the folder 27 ,.asbest shown in Figures 6 and 7, carriesia blade 103. The latter co-operates withva fixed blade104 carried'by the bed plate 19. As the folder 27 is moved down-' wardly to fold the back side upon the front side 35a" of the envelope, the blade 103 co operatesrwith the blade 104 to sever the thread 88 at a point between the end of the envelope body and the end'of the needle bar 7 3, thereby leaving a portion ofthe thread 88 extending beyond theneedle bar 7 3. 1 Hence, in the next forward movementof the'latter the protruding end of the thread will be gripped between the fingers 90 and 91in the manner described. From the foregoing, it will be apparent thatthe thread afiixing mechanism is adapted to arrange'a thread adjacent to the joint between the back and'front sides ofthe envelope so that as thevformer is folded 'upon the latter the thread is incorporated in the body of the envelope, the adhesive which is availedof to secure the back side to the end flapsof the envelopebeing utilized to secure the thread'to the envelope; VHence, there is no necessityfor the application of an'adhesive to the thread. vThe-mechanism has the further advantage that it may be applied to existing machines which 1 have been designed for the folding of'blanks into envelopes but a which have notcontemplated the use in connection therewith of mechanisms for affixing opening threads tothe envelopes. The vari ous parts ofthe mechanism are controlled by the main cam shaft whichoperates the movfable parts of the folding mechanism and hencethe thread afiixing mechanism co-oper-- ates withthe folding mechanism to arrange the threads relative to the blanks accurately and rapidly without the necessity of'varying the manner of operation (if the folding mechanism; 1 i

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with an envelope fold ing mechanism having a member movableto fold one part of an envelope blank upon another part thereof, of a reciprocating mem} ber adapted to carry a portion of a continuouslength of thread across the envelope blank in front of said'movable member and adjacent the joint between saidparts, means for gripping said thread to hold the latter in such position during the return movement of said reciprocating member, whereby said first mentioned part may be folded upon said portion of thread during the operation of said movable member and means for severing said portion of thread from the remainder of said continuous length of thread.

2. The combination with an envelope folding mechanism having a member movable to fold one part of an envelope blank upon another part thereof, of a reciprocating member adapted to carry a portion of a continuous thread across the envelope blank in front of said movable memberadjacent the joint between said parts, gripping members be tween which said thread is positioned, means for operating said gripping members to hold said thread against movement during the return movement of said reciprocating member, whereby said first mentioned part may be folded upon said portion of thread during the operation of said movable member and means for severing said portion of thread from the remainder .of said continuous length of thread. r

- The combinationwith an envelope folding mechanism having a member movable to .fold one part of an envelope blank upon another part thereof, of a reciprocating member adapted to carry a portion of a continuous length of thread across the envelope blank in front of said movable member adjacent the ing mechanism having a member movable to fold one part-'ofan envelope upon another part thereof of a reclprocating member adapted to carry a portion of arcontinuous length of thread across the envelope blank in front of said movable member and adjacent the joint between said parts, means for gripping said thread so as to hold the latter in such position during the return movement of said reciprocating member, whereby said first mentioned part is folded upon said portion of thread during the operation of said movabie member and means for severing said portion of thread from the remainder of said continuous length of thread, said means last men tioned being adapted to leave a portion of said remainder protruding from said member so that said end may be gripped by said griping mechanism having a movable member for folding one part of an envelopeblankupon;

pin g means 'when'said reciprocating member moves across the succeeding blank. v

; The combination with an envelope foldanother part thereof,a cam shaft and means connecting said camshaft with said movable member for'operating the latter, of a reciprocating member adapted to carry a'portion of acontinuo'us length of' thread across'the'envelope blank in front of'said movable member and adj acent the joint between said parts, meansconnecting said reciprocating member with said fcam shaft for operatingsaid mem j' her in timed relation-with saidmovable'memf ber, means for gripping said thread when" said reciprocating member is in its projected position" to hold said thread against'move- :ment during the-return movement "of said mentioned part maybe folded upon said portion of thread duringthe' operation of said movable member andmeans fors evering 25, said portion" of thread from the'remainder of member for operating the latter, of a reciprocating member adapted to carry afportion of a continuous length of thread across the envelope blank in front ofsaidpivoted mem her and adjacent the'joint between saidpart's,

a second cam shaft operated in timed relation to said first mentioned cam shaft, means con- 1 necting said second camshaft with-said recip- 7 4 owrmating' member for operating the latter,

reciprocatingmember-is'in it'sprojected positionso as to hold said thread against movement duringithe return 'movement-of said, I, V

plvoted' member' and ad acent the joint'between 'said' parts, gripping members between;

reciprocating member, whereby said first mentioned part may be folded-upon sald'portion of thread during the operation 'of' said movable member and meansfor severing said portion of threadyfrom the remainder of said 1' continuous-length of thread.

'7'. The combination with anaenvelope'fold, ing mechanism having apivoted member for foldingone part ofan envelope blank upon] another part thereof, a cam shaft and means connecting said cam shaft with said pivoted member for operatingthe latter, of a recip rocating member adapted to carry a portion of a continuous length of thread acrossthe;

envelope blank in front of said piv'oted ,mem--',

- 'ber and adjacent the joint'between saidparts',

"rocating member for operating the ilatter,

necting said second camshaft with said recipmeans for gripping said thread when said reciprocating member, whereby said first means for gripping ,said threadwhen-said a second camshaft-operatively connectedto said first mentioned camshaft, means contion' so as to hold saidthread against move -ment during the-return movement of said reciprocating'member, whereby said first men- I tioned part maybe folded upon said portion 76 able member and means for severing, said of thread during the operationof said movportion of thread from the remainder of said i v continuous length of thread, said gripping Ine'ans'being connected to andoperated 'by said second c'a-m shaft. v I I .8 The combination with an envelope folding mechanism having a pivoted member for i folding one part of an envelope blank upon another partthereof, a cam shaft and means connecting said cam shaft'with'said pivoted member for operating the latter, of a recipto grip said thread and hold the latter against movement during the return move- 1 ment of said reciprocating member, whereby said first mentionedpart, maybe folded upon said portion of thread during the operation of said pivoted member and means for severmainder of said'con'tinuous length of thread ing said portion of thread from the reupon completion of the return movement of said-reciprocating member: 7

9. The combination with an envelope folding mechanism having a pivoted member for, folding one part of an envelope blank upon" another part thereof, a camshaft and means ope'rativ'ely connectingisaid cam shaft with? a saidpivotedmember'for operating the latter, 1

of a-reciproc'ating member adapted to carry afl'p'ortion of a continuous length of thread across the envelope blank in front-of said bers for operating the. latter to grip said" thread and hold the latter against movement during the return movement of'fsaid recip roca'tingfmember whereby saidfirst mentioned part may be folded upon said portion ofsaid thread during the; operation ofsaid pivoted member and means for severing saidportionof thread from the remainder of the continuous length ofthread, said gripping members being adapted to release s aid thread: upon completion or the return movement of said reciprocating member.

10. The combination with an envelope folding mechanism havinga movable member fo'r'folding one part ofan envelope blank; upon anotherpart thereof,-,;ofireciprocat' ing member adaptedto" carry a portion of a continuous lengthof thread across the envelope blank in front of said member and adjacent the joint between said parts and means for gripping the end of said thread so as to hold the latter in such position during the return movement of said. reciprocating member, whereby said first mentioned part may he -folded upon said portion of said thread during the operation of said movablememher, said means including a finger resiliently held against movement, a companion finger which co-operates with said finger first mentioned and means for moving said companion finger towardsaid first mentioned finger to :grip said thread and means for severing said hold the latter in such position during the be return movementof said reciprocating mem ber, whereby said first mentioned part may be folded upon said portion of threadduring the operation of said pivoted member, said means including a support, a finger pivotally mounted on said support, means resiliently resisting movement of said finger in onedirection,

;a second finger pivotally mounted on said supportand co-operating with said first mentioned finger and means for moving sa1d sec-- ond finger toward said first mentioned finger to grip said thread, thereby moving said first mentioned: finger against the action of said resilient means and means for severing said portion of thread from the remainder of the continuous length of thread. V

12. The combination with an envelope folding mechanism having a pivoted member for folding one part ofan envelope blank upon another part thereof, a cam shaft and means. connecting said cam shaft with said pivoted member for operating the latter, of

iareciprocating member adapted to carry a portion of a continuous length of thread across the envelope blankin front of said pivoted member and adjacent the joint between said parts and means for gripping said thread to hold the latter in such position during the return movement of said reciprocating member, whereby said first mentioned part may be folded upon said portion of said thread, during the operation of said pivoted member, said means including a support, a

finger pivotally mounted upon said support, means for resiliently resisting angular movement in one direction of said finger, a second finger pivotallymounted upon" said support,

a second'cam shaft operatively connected to said first mentioned cam shaft and to said second finger for moving the latter toward said first mentioned finger against the action of said resilient means to grip said thread and means for severing said portion of thread from the remainder of the continuous length of thread.

13. The combination with an envelope folding mechanism having a movable member .for folding one part of an envelope blank upon another part thereof, a cam shaft and means operatively connecting said cam shaft member, and means connecting said last namedmeans to said cam shaft, whereby the thread is positioned in the manner described prior to the operation of said movable mem- 14. The combination with an envelope folding mechanism having a movable member'for foldin one art of an envelope upon another part tfiereo a cam shaft and means operatively connecting said cam shaftrwith said movable member, of means for positioning a thread in front of said movable member adjacent thejoint between said parts, asecond cam shaft, means operatively connecting said cam shafts qand means operatively connecting said second camshaft to said means first mentioned, whereby the thread is positioned in the manner described prior to the operation of said movable member.

15. The combination with an envelope foldin mechanism having a movable member for Vfo ding one part of an envelopeblank upon another part thereof, a cam shaft and means operatively connecting said cam shaft with said movable member, of means for carrying a portion of a continuous length of thread across the envelope blank in front of said movable member adjacent the joint between said parts, means for gripping said thread so that thelatter is held in such position during the return movement of said thread carry ing means, whereby the movable member may be operated to fold said first mentioned part upon said portion of thread, a second cam shaft operatively connected to said first mentioned cam shaft, means operatively connectr,

fold one part of an envelope blank upon an:v other part thereof, of a reciprocatingmember adapted to frictionally engage a portion of a continuous length of thread and carry-,

ing it across the envelopeblank in front of said movable member adjacent the joint between said parts, means "for gripping said thread so asv to hold said'portion in such po- 7 sition during the return movement of 'said' reciprocating member, whereby said first mentioned part may be folded upon said portion of thread during the operation of said movable member and means for severing said portion of thread from the remainder of the continuous length of thread.

17. The combination with an envelope folding mechanism havinga member ,movable to fold one part of an envelope blank upon another part thereof, of a reciprocating member adapted to frictionally engage a portion of a continuous length of thread and carry it 7 across the envelope. blank in front of said movable member adjacent the joint between said parts, gripping ,members between which said thread is positioned, means for operating said gripping members to hold said portion of thread against movement during the return movement of said reciprocating member, whereby said first mentioned part may be folded upon said portion of thread during the operation of said movable member andmeans for severing said portion of thread from the remainder of the continuous length of thread.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature.

CLARENCE N; FULLER. 

